Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator. We seem to be meeting up all the time when I come to the Seanad. Like myself, he is from the rural end of Ireland and it is crucial that we protect our way of life there. If I do not give the Senator the blunt answer he requires, I ask him to approach me again. I am aware there are deadlines and I know exactly what the Senator is saying about people planning their future. We might have to push things a bit further.

My Department is responsible for the licensing of mink farming in Ireland under the Musk Rats Act 1933 and the Musk Rats Act 1933 (Application to Mink) Order 1965, which prohibits the keeping of mink except under licences issued by my Department. Licences, which are usually issued for three years, are issued only if the applicant is found to be compliant with a number of key conditions following an inspection by officers from my Department. These conditions include a requirement that mink farmers take adequate measures to prevent the escape of the mink from their premises. Licence requirements include a provision that mink shall be kept only at the premises specified in the licence and must be kept in cages or other containers to prevent their escape. All buildings or enclosures where mink are housed must be bounded by a guard fence built to prevent their escape. Mink farmers are also obliged to ensure that trees, shrubs or undergrowth do not grow in such a position in relation to boundary fences that they would facilitate the escape of mink. Any holes or drainage channels must also be effectively blocked.

There are five licensed mink farms in Ireland. All five licences expire in the course of 2012. Between them, the mink farmers farm an estimated 225,000 mink. The industry claims to be responsible, as the Senator said, for 80 jobs directly. Mink farmers do not receive any State or EU support for their farming activity.

I am aware that fur farming is a significant agricultural activity in many European countries, notably Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands. The European Fur Breeders' Association, which represents breeders' associations in 15 countries, estimates that there are 7,200 fur farmers in EU member states, who are responsible for 64% of worldwide mink fur production. The association estimates that the fur sector creates up to 60,000 full-time jobs in Europe and that the value of EU-farmed fur came to €1.5 billion in 2010. It also points out that the industry provides an efficient use for more than 1 million tonnes of animal by-products each year from the fishing and meat industries.

I am aware that although the farming of mink is carried out in many European countries, there is a body of opinion which believes that a ban on the farming of animals such as mink for their fur should be introduced on ethical grounds. I am currently in the process of having a new animal health and welfare Bill drafted in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. Work on drafting this legislation is already under way in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill is a complex one but when drafting is concluded, it is my intention to publish the Bill. I have been considering the future of mink farming in the context of that process. I am conscious that mink farmers have a critical interest in the outcome. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has established a group within my Department to review all aspects of fur farming and I expect this review to be completed shortly.

In giving consideration to future of mink farming, I am conscious of the concern felt in some quarters about the ethics of raising mink for the manufacture of fur. I am also taking into account the fact that the mink farmers licensed by my Department have been engaged in this legitimate activity as their source of livelihood for many years and that the industry claims to be responsible for 80 jobs and generates export revenue from the sale of fur pelts.

The slaughtering of mink takes place on the farms and is subject to the provisions of European legislation at the time of slaughter. Inspections by my Department have confirmed that the methods used by Irish fur farms are in compliance with the aforementioned legislation. The Irish fur industry is fully aware of animal welfare requirements and it has displayed a willingness to comply with the requirements of my Department with regard to the keeping and slaughtering of mink.